Re: Flail Mower vs Finish Mower or Bush Hog

The only thing I know about flail mowers is what my friend told me. He had one to use on his pastures, and he said it was a maintenance nightmare. He said he had to constantly work on it. He finally just stoped using it and bought a brush hog.

Re: Flail Mower vs Finish Mower or Bush Hog

I had a Ford flail, sorry, can't remember the model number. it was a very good machine, and produced an excellent cut. Late last fall, I bought a JD 25A flail. I have not mowed with it yet, but have had it on the tractor and everything is fine with it.

In answer to your questions:

1) As good or better

2) I've seen a city owned tractor with right and left side flails, and one on the rear mow 5' grass, weeds and cattails.

3) More than a brush hog. The 25A's run about $3500 new.

4) Offset, as you mentioned, is a great advantage.

5) Throw rocks.

6) Yes, JD manual claims mow up to 7 mph.

7) Pro: In our operation, mowing 250+- subdivision lots in a residential setting, safety is utmost. Launching rocks and other items is less than desireable for us. Easy to manuver around lot stakes, power poles, pad mount transformers, ect., offset makes trimmimg a lot easier. Flail knives are a lot less weight to handle when changing blades. I've changes a set of flails on the Ford, 72 blades, in 20 minutes with an air ratchet.

Con: Cost of a new unit.

Check out this link,<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.flail-master.com>FlailMaster</A> has an extensive line of replacement parts for many different manufactures mowers, and with better prices than OEM dealer.

For the average home owner, the flails are spendy compaired to finish and rotary mowers. For our business use, I can easily justify the added expense, when safety is concerned. As long as they are used properly, and cared for, they provide many years of service at a reasonable price.

Re: Flail Mower vs Finish Mower or Bush Hog

My dad had a flail mower on his old Farmall. The only problem he ever had with it was the broken flails. He used to replace about 10-15 each spring. Not that bad considering he was mowing a junk yard. The one problem I could see with the setup was noise. Made a LOT of racket.